• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5063-5069
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• 2014

Background: Cancer is a disease which affects not only patients but also their families physically and emotionally. The purpose of this study was to determine the needs, challenges and ways of coping of caregivers of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: In the study, a phenomenological approach was used. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. The study sample comprised 16 family members providing care for a cancer patient. Results: The study findings are grouped under four main themes: the impact of caregiving, masking feelings, experienced challenges and expectations, and coping. During the caregiving process, patient relatives are affected physiologically, psychologically and socially. It was determined that patient relatives hid their feelings and avoided talking about the disease for fear that they might upset the patient, and that they had difficulty in coping with the patient's reactions during the treatment process. Family members had difficulties arising from the health system, hospital conditions and treatment in addition to transportation and financial problems. Support is very important in coping, but it was determined that some of the relatives of patients did not receive adequate support. Patient relatives expect that health care professionals should provide them with more information about their patient's condition and the course of the disease that their patients should be dealt with by the physicians specialized in cancer, and that psychological support should be provided both for them and for their patient. Conclusions: During the caregiving process, family members are faced with many difficulties and they exhibit different coping behaviors which health care professionals should take into account.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.156-164
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• 2017

Purpose: Foot and ankle disease (FAD) is a frequent cause of morbidity among the homeless population. Various conditions, exacerbated by malnutrition, poor lifestyle habits, psychiatric disorders, physical injuries, poor hygiene, and limited access to healthcare, have been described in this population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognition and management status of FAD in shelter based homeless people. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two male and twenty-five female volunteer homeless individuals were recruited from two homeless shelters. Each person completed a questionnaire assessing any presence of pain, pain management, as well as foot and ankle care status. A foot and ankle surgeon examined the physical status of the individual's foot and ankle, including tenderness and instability. A radiologic evaluation was done for 18 male and 11 female homeless people who agreed to participate in this test for the existence osteophyte or joint space narrowing representing osteoarthritis and some reference angles for hallux valgus, flatfoot and cavus foot. Results: Homeless people had higher prevalence of body mass index, diabetes, and smoking than the general population. The most prevalent infectious disease was fungal infection (male 78%, female 68%), with a low compliance of management for FAD. Conclusion: Although most of shelter-based homeless people showed an acceptable foot and ankle management status, the potential risk for FAD development and exacerbation of mild FAD was high.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.159-171
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aimed to understand the characteristics of the cases covered in the case studies on traditional Korean medicine (TKM) and furthermore, to provide basic information that can lead the discussion on 'what cases are worth reporting' in future case reports. Methods : Case reports on TKM were searched using the OASIS. The searched researches were analyzed according to the type of case, including information on disease/symptoms and intervention. Results : A total of 940 researches were searched. The most frequently reported type of case study was the report on the effectiveness of intervention. Case reports, which were only two cases in the 1970s, increased rapidly in the 2000s, and in particular, 314 cases within the last five years accounted for about 33% of the total literature. As for the number of studies by disease, the cases dealing with musculoskeletal diseases such as spine, shoulder and knee joint disorders were the most prevalent. Besides, there were many case reports related to cardiovascular, gynecological, cancer, psychiatric, and dermatological diseases. In a total of 51.9% of the included case reports, a combination of two or more Korean medical treatments such as acupuncture and herbal medicine was used at once, and western treatment was used with Korean medical treatment in 28.2% of the studies. The types of Korean medical treatments were varied, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, Chuna, acupotomy, herbal medicine, external preparation, and psychotherapy. The main purpose of the publication of the included case reports was analyzed as a report of TKM treatment for rare diseases, or the application of TKM treatment to diseases or symptoms that are "uncommon in TKM treatment" even if it is not a rare disease. Conclusions : Case reports have the strength of generating new scientific hypotheses by detecting the basic needs and novelty of medicine. The current case studies of TKM do not seem to be sufficient to highlight these strengths. It is necessary to discuss which cases are reported as cases of patients worth publishing, and based on this, it is necessary to activate case studies of TKM by utilizing diagnostic tools and science technology.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.294-304
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• 2021

Ankylosing spondylitis causes ankylosis of the spine due to ossification of the articular cartilage and ligaments around the vertebral body as well as the sacroiliac joint. This pathophysiology limits joint movement and, in many cases, causes pain and deformity of the spine. If this disease is left untreated, it ultimately causes ankylosis and ossification of the whole-body joints. The symptoms generally develop before age 30 years, and the gradual progression of the disease adversely affects the physical function, professional ability, and quality of life. This increases the likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders, such as depression. The authors are aware of this severity and introduce recent trends and studies to prevent surgical treatment with various medications before systemic ossification. This paper presents various surgical treatments and complications in patients who were unable to prevent progression and underwent surgical treatment.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2024

Objective : The purpose of this study is to compare the signal obtained from the frontal 2-electrodes EEG with that obtained from the temporal, central, and parietal 2 electrodes. Methods : EEGs were recorded in a total of 67 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 104 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), and 29 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). For each disease group, there were healthy controls (HC) that were paired accordingly (HC1=69, HC2=104, HC3=27). The following measurements were compared across electrodes: band power, alpha peak frequency (APF), APF power, alpha asymmetry (AA), and Kolmogorov complexity (KC). Results : Statistically significant differences were found in band power measured from frontal electrodes compared to electrodes placed in other locations. Specifically, the power of theta waves was measured higher in the temporal electorodes, alpha 1 and alpha 2 waves in the parietal, beta 1 and beta 2 in the central, and gamma waves in the temporal electrodes. Both SCZ and AD patients showed increased theta power in all electrodes. In SCZ patients, APF decreased in the central and temporal electrodes, but the APF power analysis showed no difference between the patients and controls. Additionally, AD patients exhibited increased AA in the central EEG, while SCZ patients showed decreased KC in the parietal and temporal electrodes. Conclusion : Depending on the electrode location, sensitive EEG frequencies differed. Compared with signals from other electrodes, frontal EEG in MDD patients revealed generally constant signal values, though the temporo-parieto-central electrodes appeared to be more reliable in SCZ and AD patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2020

Purpose: In acute acetaminophen poisoning, the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can effectively treat the main complications, such as kidney injury and liver failure. In the current situation, measurements of the acetaminophen concentration are not checked in the usual medical facilities. Therefore, this study examined the factors of determining the administration of NAC in addition to the stated amount of intake. Methods: The medical records of patients who visited Ajou University Hospital emergency center with acetaminophen poisoning from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and seventy-nine patients were initially included. Among these patients, 82 patients were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients who were 15 years of age or older; those whose ingested dose, ingested time, and body weight were clearly identified; and patients whose acetaminophen sampling time was within 24 hours. Patients were divided into two groups: NAC administered vs. non-NAC administered. The following variables were compared in these two groups: ingested dose, ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, psychiatric disease history, classification of toxic/non-toxic groups, duration of hospitalization, and laboratory results. Results: Univariate analysis revealed the ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, and psychiatric disease history to be the determining factors in administering NAC. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the ingested dose per body weight was the only significant factor leading to an NAC treatment decision. (Odds ratio=1.039, 95% Confidential interval=1.009-1.070, p=0.009) Conclusion: The ingested dose per body weight was the only determining factor for administering NAC in patients with acute acetaminophen poisoning. On the other hand, additional criteria or indicators for the NAC administration decision will be necessary considering the inaccuracy of the ingested dose per body weight and the efficiency of NAC administration.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.22-36
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• 1999

The purpose of the study was to identify disease characteristics and behavior pattern of treatment for patients with Fibromyalgia. This study was carried out between May to Aug. in 1998 through direct interview in Rheumatism clinic at H. University Hospital and subject in this study were 125 outpatients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and t-test, ANOVA using SPSS Window program. The results of this study are as follows. 1. General Characteristics : All of the persons with Fibromyalgia were female who were mostly in their forties(37.5%). A third of them(38.4%) were graduated from high school. The greatest part of them(54.4%) were christians but little part of them(16.8%) were employed 2. Disease Characteristics : They have struggled with Fibromyalgia for 10 years on an average. About half of them(56.9%) suffered from Fibromyalgia only but the others had another diseases which were in greatest part occupied by Osteoarthritis. The number of tender point which is a feature of Fibromyalgia differed according to measuring criteria. Yunus criteria. however, was proved to be the most proper measuring criteria than any other method as it showed high correlations between symptoms and physical activities. The most serious symptoms that complained the patients among subjective symptoms are pain, sleep disorder, and fatigue in sequence, and activities most hard to do among physical activities are washing by hand, scrubbing by hand, and shopping in sequence. 3. Behavior Pattern of Treatment : The largest part of them(42.4%) had received medical treatment after they were determined to have the disease and most of them were taking medicine as prescribed by physician(88.8%) or other medicines(16.8%), Of them, two thirds stated that the medicine they took were effective. Around a third of them took exercises mostly composed of swimming. The medical institution they visited in the past were orthopedic surgical department, Oriental hospital, physical therapy department in sequence and, in a slight percent(11.4%), psychiatric department. 4. Relations between Disease Characteristics and Behavior pattern of Treatment : It shows that number of tender point and level of symptom are significantly different according to duration of disease and medical intervention. As a results, it can be suggest that persons with Fibromyalgia need to take exercises and medicine continually regardless of medical treatment as it is a chronic disease whose symptoms are hardly mitigated.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.73-96
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• 2004

Along with a development of medical technology, a variety of tests, such as laboratory tests, x-ray and endoscopies are being used in health screening tests. As the tests determine the quality of health screening, test items and methods should be carefully selected. This study was to get hold of the test items of major health screening programs in Korea Most of the health screening programmes focused upon detection of risk factors and diagnosis of life - style related diseases (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, drinking, smoking, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis) ,cancers (stomach, cervix, lung, breast, liver, colon, prostate, ovary, pancreas, thyroid, esophagus) , infectious diseases (hepatitis, tuberculosis, sexually-transmitted diseases, parasites) , chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, chronic renal diseases (bacteriuria hematuria, proteinuria) , anemia, glaucoma, hearing loss, Alzheimer disease, stress, early psychiatric diseases. The health screening tests were basic physical examination, basic laboratory tests (CBC, urinalysis, liver function tests, lipid tests, glucose, HbAlc, uric acid, electrolytes, serological tests (HBsAg, HBs-Ab, HCV-Ab, HIV-Ab, VDRL) EKG, x-ray (chest PA, CT) , endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy) , sonography(abdomen, thyroid, pelvis, breast) ,cytology (cervix) , bone density, tumor markets (NMP22, alpha-FP, CEA, CA-19-9, CA12S, PSA) and eye tests. Advanced technologies, like CT, PET, MRI, MRT/Angio, molecular testings) were widely used in hospital health screening programmes .In summary, a variety of tests were utilized in health screening in Korea. Those tests were utilized by stages or according to sex and age in most of health screening programmes, however a few program used tests to excess disregarding health screening subjects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.533-538
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• 2012

Background: Tobacco cessation would provide the most immediate benefits of tobacco control to prevent tobacco related disease morbidity and mortality. Methods: A tobacco cessation program involving individual and group behavior therapy was implemented in three stages at a worksite. Tobacco quit rates were assessed at the end of each contact session. Results: Out of the 291 tobacco users identified, 224 participated in the tobacco cessation interventions. At the end of three interventions, 38 (17%) users had successfully quit tobacco use. Presence of clinical oral pre-cancer lesion was found to be associated with quitting (p=0.02). Also tobacco users with oral pre-cancer lesions were around three times more likely to quit than those with no lesions (OR= 2.70 95% C.I= 1.20 - 6.05). Conclusion: Cost effective multi-pronged tobacco cessation approaches, inbuilt into other occupational health and welfare activities, are acceptable and feasible to achieve long term sustainable tobacco cessation programs at worksites.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2005

Most suicides(about 90%) occur in the context of psychiatric disorders. Prediction of suicide risk in patients with mental illness is very important in preventing suicide attempts. However, current approaches to predict suicidality are based on clinical history and have low specificity and biological markers are not yet included. Many studies have explored the association between different biological parameters and suicidality. Studies of cerebro-spinal fluid(CSF) demonstrated that 5-HIAA and HVA levels were lower in patients with a history of suicide. Platelet serotonin transporter and the 5-HT2 serotonin receptor have also been studied in relation to violence and suicide. Depressive patients with greater suicidal tendency had significantly lower cholesterol concentrations but some researchers failed to find the correlation. DST non-supression is reported to predict suicidality in major depression. Several studies demonstrated a relationship between intron 7 polymorphism of tryptophan hydroxylase and suicidal behavior. Since suicide is not occurred in a single disease, the systematic and comprehensive study in large samples with various diagnoses is necessary to find the biological and genetic predictors of suicidal behavior.